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Cody Deal may have the toughest gig a young, up-and-coming actor could get: playing the title role in a direct-to-DVD tie-in to what is destined to be one of the largest-grossing blockbusters of the summer. I'm speaking, of course, of The Asylum's SyFy-premiering Almighty Thor, in which young Deal plays the titular Norse god of thunder. After small roles in comedies like The Hangover and Get Him to the Greek, Deal is starting to hit his stride as an action star, with Almighty Thor as the first rung in his ladder to stardom. Deal, who's been super busy promoting the crap out of Almighty Thor - part of his (achievable, I believe) mission to make the film the highest-rated original Saturday Night Movie in SyFy's history - to sit down for an exclusive interview with Committed on all things Deal and Thor. A talented actor, brilliant self-publicist and a genuinely swell guy, Deal gave us one of the most thorough and thoughtful interviews in Committed's history. Enjoy!

COMMITTED: Tell us about Cody Deal growing up. When as a boy from a small town did you set your sights on acting? What were some of the films you watched growing up that helped establish your aspirations?

CODY DEAL: First, Perry, I just wanted to mention how thankful I am doing an interview with you. I know how much The Asylum appreciates your dedication to their films through your site, and I personally appreciate them for taking a big risk on me and giving me the opportunity to star in one of their films. You really help shift the perspective of what low-budget or mockbuster films are all about. I think there's such a misconception about them and Almighty Thor, especially since its given me, an unknown actor, a platform to be introduced to the world.

As far as telling you about me growing up, I grew up in Kansas. I was born in Oklahoma and moved to Kansas when I was 5 to a small town called Sedan that had around 1,200 people. I went to school there K-12 every step of the way. From the start of junior high all the way up to my senior year in high school I worked on a ranch hauling hay bails every summer. During the winter, I built fence for the ranch. I was a straight-up farm boy, although I considered myself a city kid because I lived in town. I didn't wear tight jeans or listen to country music because I didn't like either although everyone in Kansas seemed to. But nowadays, things have changed, and it's wear to not find me in tight jeans or listening to country. *laughs*

I grew up with my two brothers and a couple of step-dads along the way. My mom was our support. She worked hard to provide for us, and although we had welfare help my mom get a car one year I was in high school, I never felt like we didn't have enough. Yes, we were on food stamps and had government assistance here and there along the way, but it always felt we had enough. I did have to help pay bills as early as 14-years-old, when my mother and us three boys made the decision together to leave one of our step fathers for good, and I knew and agreed I'd have to help pick up the slack if we left him. Truth is we were a close-knit family, and although distance has shattered a lot of that closeness, I know my family supports me deeply. I sometimes wish I could make them more proud of me. And that's the actor's struggle... It's as if you are recreating yourself every single day, and most people won't get you or get what you are trying to do or pursue. You appear self-centered or self-absorbed, but really, you are only trying to put in every ounce of your soul to creating the dreams in your heart, and beating to the rhythm of your own music. I think any artist you know has their own nuances.

Coming from such a small town you never think about really starring in a film or making movies for a living. Of course you fantasize about it, but the truth is, you are so far removed from anything like it that you feel it isn't possible. So I never had any real aspirations of being an actor.

There were a lot of films I loved as a kid growing up: The Bloodsport series were my favorite and I was a huge Jean-Claude Van Damme fan. The Mummy to the Matrix, to Rambo and Die Hard, even to Gladiator. I loved Gladiator.

In fact, in Almighty Thor, there is a moment where Thor has just defeated the protector of the Tree of Life. As he goes in for the killing blow, he flies through the air, and falls to a knee. As he rises in slow motion and starts to turn around, it reminds me of a moment in Gladiator. It is where Russell Crowe is near death and has just defeated Joaquin Phoenix. He gives his orders to Falco to give back the power to the people of Rome, and then starts walking and reaching out his hand as if to touch something, but nothing is there. We then see into his vision of what he sees... The door that leads to his afterlife, with his family. In that moment, as Thor is rising from his knee and turns around, it is that moment that is powerful for me and reminds me of Russell Crowe in Gladiator.

I hope to not be confusing others that I am comparing my performance to that of Russell Crowe's, but rather understand I'm coming from a perspective of growing up and watching something that was so amazing to one person and seeing you, yourself, in a similar moment on screen, and having your heart skip because you can't believe how far you've come.

C: You took the brave and bold leap to leave your home in the mid-west and come out to Hollywood (with a pit-stop in Vegas) to try and make it in a, shall we say, difficult business. This couldn’t have been an easy thing to do. Talk a little about what went into your decision to pursue your dreams: where did you find support, strength, inspiration?

CD: From moving out here all by myself with no contacts in this business, to being homeless for several months, to starring in Almighty Thor - it still amazes me every single day I wake up. I am so happy to be here pursuing this career. Who really knows how far I will be able to go... But no matter how far I get or don't get, I am enjoying doing this - making films for a living. I, Cody, am making films for a living, and that in of itself makes a dream that was so far-fetched now a reality. It's so unbelievable, yet so believable because of the inner vision I had in my heart of this happening. And I hope I get the opportunity to continue working for years to come.

However, you are right, as fairytale as I make this business out to be, the difficulty of it can be very real. The money isn't here yet for me, personally, but it will come. The daily grind and struggle of how I am going to make rent this month or how I might go back to living in my car does weigh over my head, but it hasn't stopped me from moving forward. But the situation always seems to work out. The difficulty of pursuing this business is much more real than people realize. You hear so many stories, but you don't actually appreciate one's story whose done it before you until you actually have gone through it yourself.

Yet, I don't think the process is horrible. I have enjoyed the bumps just as much as the mountain tops. Without getting too personal, I've always had a giant amount of guidance inside; my own inner compass if you will. My whole support, strength, and inspiration comes from my belief that we are unlimited in potential. I don't have a cap on my belief system and it allows me to belief that I can reach supposed-impossible heights. I feel that my story in the years to come will be used as a catalyst to show what any one of us can do. It is my goal, however.

I left Kansas as a 21-year-old and it will be four years in November since. It will actually be two years in June that I have been living in L.A., with 18 months in Vegas. Along that journey I never had someone telling me every single day that I could make it. All I wanted was one small voice telling me I was worthy, I was talented, and that everything I was going through was worth fighting for, because at that time I didn't believe in myself fully.

But that voice never came. I had people come into my life and started listening to others who had been in this business longer than me who I felt were the experts. I stopped following my inner guidance and I dimmed my light and felt inferior to these experts and had them lead and dictate my life. They became my voice because I so desperately wanted to fit in.

While in my car, I lost my closest friendships because people didn't get what I was doing, although, in my heart, I knew what I was doing was a necessary step for me personally. When I had nothing it was when I found my greatest strength. I finally found my own voice.

All this time I was searching for approval, assurance, and strength outside of myself. It wasn't until I was broken down to my lowest moment that I found the truest strength of all. And that is what I love so much about Almighty Thor. If you can look past the rampant array of monsters and the fact that it was shot in 12 days and that there are going to be obvious things wrong with the film, underneath it all, there is this life of a man that you get to watch unfold every step of the way. Thor ends up finding his own true strength like I did.

All of us, I know, wishes we had someone who told us how special we are every single day. With everything from media to people in our every day life, there is no lack of people sharing how complicated and defeated life can make you.

My point is I hope that my story, as I grow further into my career, can be a source of inspiration that anyone can accomplish there dreams. I want people to always embrace their greatest strength - the voice inside themselves - and to always know they have an inner compass.

C: So I’ve read you had really delved into the character of Thor after auditioning for the Marvel production, to the point that when the Asylum role came up, you felt you had a particular feel for the character. What was it about the character, or what you saw in the character, that so drew you to him?

CD: Auditioning for Marvel's Thor is what actually inspired me to move out to Los Angeles. While living in Vegas I was called in to read for the role. It was my first audition in the big city. I missed out on the opportunity because I had just begun acting training. But I was inspired by it!

The way all of this has gone down is rather magical to me, from auditioning for Marvel's version to landing Syfy's version almost two years later is serendipitous.

When I auditioned for Marvel's Thor, I did everything in my power to learn about him. Even after my read, I became obsessed with the production and watched everything that was going on about the film. That is why when I heard about The Asylum casting for Almighty Thor, I knew this was my role. I knew that there was not a chance I was going to let this role slip by me twice. So I prepared, prepared, prepared. This was literally a month after I auditioned for Spartacus for Starz's Spartacus: Blood & Sand. I trained for weeks on an authentic British accent and did everything in my power to land it. And I felt invincible when reading for it; like I was glowing. In the end I was looked over, but left a lasting impression with the casting director. Yet I felt devastated. Then that next month I read for Almighty Thor and booked it.

My failed attempt at Spartacus helped assure me that I had the acting ability to land the role. I feel we grow in steps, and that one thing happens to lead us to the next, and it is always good. Sometimes we may not know why we didn't get a role or why something didn't turn out the way it did. But I go back to that supportive net that I feel is all around me, directing my steps here in Hollywood.

C: And what was that feel you developed for the character; how would you distinguish your interpretation? What, in your estimation, makes your depiction of Thor unique?

CD: Marvel's Thor is about an arrogant God who is cast down to earth who eventually finds his humanity. The Asylum's Thor is about a man who struggles embracing who he is, and finally stepping into his divinity; his greatness.

In my version, I realized that although Thor felt he was always ready to take on Loki, he wasn't. Just like I thought I was ready to star in Marvel's Thor three months after taking my first acting class. Although I felt (without doubt) I was ready, I just wasn't. And Jarnsaxa, Thor's guardian, helps teach Thor his true strength and power, and a relationship with each other develops.

Thor also questions the laws of the universe. Even at such a young age, Thor questioned the Norns, the Weavers of Fate. Everything is mapped out upon their calling, and Odin is powerless against them. But Thor questions the Norns and believes that we can create our own fate, our own story. Such talk makes his older brother, Baldir, question Thor's strength and will by such stupid thinking. And so Thor shrinks his inner knowing, and grows even more impatient to prove he is capable of great things.

My whole life has ran along Thor's own. My whole life I have told myself and others that we can become what we want to become. That the only limits that exist are the limits we put on ourselves. And the world tells us, "You can't do that. That's too big. Think more realistic. No, do it my way. View and see the world like me. You're too young. You don't have enough experience." And, just like Thor, we shrink our light, we shrink ourselves, and we lose hope in our abilities and lose sight of our strength.

Thor is continually shut down again and again, even by his own family. He is then put in a situation where his whole world is turned upside down, and he becomes the single hope to save the world. He can either make the decision to step up and be who, in his heart he knows he is, even though his whole world is being destroyed... literally. Or he can stay playing small, that this is his hand in life as the Norns predicted (as the world tell us, personally, that life is difficult and we can only become so much), and let others inevitably dictate his life. Yet, with everything crumbling around him, it is hard to see past such obstacles.

Through his pain, Thor goes on a rage of revenge. He is tired of everyone telling him he's not ready, he's not ready, he's not ready! And, at last, Thor is stripped of literally everything and he is left in a position of utter hopelessness. Something I can relate to at one time in my life being homeless. And, just as real life always seems to find each opportunity to help us evolve into who we want to become, he leaves revenge behind for his love for humanity, and embraces his divinity, his greatness. In that moment, he finds his true strength.

I feel we all have something inside ourselves that is waiting to be expressed. Thor questioned if he really was this God. And, although he feels ready, a part of him doubts his whole existence. And you see this struggle through the entire film, and you want Thor to win.

When I read the full script, I saw my life starting in the borders of Kansas and walking into uncharted territory, wondering if I was every going to make it. And I held onto my biggest idea: That fate is what we make of it. That we create our own fate. And Thor holds to these ideals, as well.

When I met the writer, Eric Forsberg, I was happy to shake his hand. I felt like somehow he had me in mind (although we didn't know each other at all) when he wrote the script, because it resonated with me so deeply.

C: Not only did you audition for the Marvel Production, your film premieres the same weekend the Marvel Production opens.What do you think your production’s take on the Norse myth can offer fans who might only know the character from the comic book?

CD: You will see a list of similarities between each Thor, simply because they both originate from Norse mythology. I encourage any Thor fan to watch both. Why choose? You get to see your favorite superhero at two different times in his life. One when he is really young trying to embrace who he really is, and the other who is well-assured of who he is, but finds something bigger than himself. Both are appealing and rewarding to watch. However, I don't think one should go in comparing the two. One's competing for blockbuster dollars and the other is free on Syfy. They're incomparable, as if you are trying to compare Michael Jordan to Lebron James. They played in two different eras. They're both excellent because they express the beauty of basketball. These films express the independent and mega-budgeted studio film; two facets of cinema.

C: The Asylum seems to make their movies pretty quick. How did you like this fast-paced approach?

CD: Shooting a production at such speed is nearly impossible, yet The Asylum manages to do it every single month. Because of this, sacrafices have to be made, and although it's a great business model, there is so much pressure involved that no one can put up their best work. From the director, to the cinematographer, to the actor.

Being a newcomer and Almighty Thor being my first starring role, it could have caused a huge ruckus. That is why I was thankful I spent 12 months, before actively auditioning for roles, in the classroom working on my craft. I had done a few smaller projects up to this point, and how I have mentioned before how my life works, it seems like everything that you ever go through always leads you up the next point. There were times I questioned if I was able to carry this film or work under so much pressure, but just like Thor, I embraced my light inside, and I shined throughout the entire production. I was able to use real moments and put them into the given circumstances of Thor's life and create real moments on film. Like Thor, I had to dig deep within myself, letting go of old limits that one from a small town in Kansas might have and embrace the newer concept of who I was.

C: Though it seems you’ve auditioned mostly for action roles and period-adventures – being considered for title roles in both the upcoming Conan update and the new wave of “Spartacus” – your screen credits until now have been big time comedies – The Hangover and Get Him to the Greek. In what genre do you feel most comfortable as an actor? What do you look for in a role, what attracts you to a character?

CD: Right now being young and in shape, and with Almighty Thor just around the corner, I feel many in the industry will be attracted to using me as an action figure. I am okay with that, because with my sport's background I am very capable and coordinated. I am also 6'3 1/2", so with my size and look, we're certain these roles will present themselves. Because I am such a fan of period-adventures and superheroes and bigger than life characters, the Conans of the world, the Spartacus' and the Thor's of the world are appealing to me.

It doesn't mean that I do not love comedy, and in fact, love it to death. I shot the film, Superseeds, that is another independent film and is like a Superbad with superpowers. It's another superhero-like film, except I flip from superhero, Thor, to supervillian, Mark HardOn. Because it was made by an independent studio, even smaller than The Asylum, distribution is underdetermined and the film may go nowhere. But it was so fun to do and I love comedies. In fact, so I don't get redundant and I'll save most of the details for the question below, but the TV series I landed is actually a comedy, as well.

I love Action and I love Comedy, but I look incredibly forward to doing a dramatic piece. No action, just drama. *laughs* I want to be able to flow between these genres willfully, but am sure others will have their own viewpoint.

C: What’s coming up for Cody Deal? Any other projects you’d like to mention?

CD: I just got done shooting a new Cinemax series that will be airing in October. Cinemax is changing with a whole new line-up of premiere entertainment. The show is a half-hour comedy (drama) and is called A Girl's Guide to Depravity. I am in three of the thirteen episodes for Season 1. If the show is a hit and gets picked back up for a second season, then my character will be around a whole lot more.

It is very amazing to have landed a serious-regular in a network television series and the title role in a Syfy Original Movie in less than two years living here. I am completely thankful for both opportunities. And right now I have been doing everything in my power to get the word out about Almighty Thor since January and since filming ended in December. Because of the budget of the production, Syfy nor The Asylum could put any advertising dollars into the project. I am 100% on board in doing everything in my power to make any film I do (from the beginning) 100% successful as possible, start to finish. From production to its air date or theatrical release.

Through my singe-handed efforts, we have generated a lot of buzz and a lot of press through this 'grass roots' approach I've taken. I'm so happy that there are television shows, radio shows, magazines, and websites that are intrigued to interview and just as interested in me as they are in Almighty Thor. That's why I appreciate you letting your viewers get to know me a little bit better on a personal level.

I have had this intention and feel that Almighty Thor can become the highest-viewed Syfy Original Movie ever, surpassing 3.2 million viewers for its world premiere on May 7th. The title of having the highest-viewed Syfy Original is less of an importance than the fun I am having promoting the project and trying to make it happen. The outcome will be the outcome. I'm just enjoying the process of getting the word out regardless.

Thanks again, Perry!

To keep up with Cody's future exploits, you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or his Website, and of course, don't forget to tune in one week from tomorrow night on SyFy at 9pm for the premiere of Almighty Thor, destined to be the highest-rated SyFy original movie in history!

I know not all of my readers have been with me since the beginning, and I also know I'm a lousy tagger. The combination of these things means that there are a lost of posts that perhaps you haven't seen. That being the case, every now and again I like to post a megapost, if you will, that can catch you up with all the posts under a certain heading. This week's heading: inmate profiles; below, please find a complete listing of every published profile to date. Enjoy!

Another one here I may have missed the boat on, but again, it's too good to pass up: we all sat forward a little uneasily a month or so ago when a deadly Egyptian cobra went missing from the Bronx Zoo. Though in the end there was absolutely nothing to panic about - the daggum thing was less than 20 feet from its case and never left the reptile house - and indeed, we even made light of the situation (see photo), the inherit peril remains: a deadly snake on the loose in a city environment with its myriad hiding spots is terrifying. So what about, say, a hundred of them? In a sizable community located on an island? Oh yeah, it's Island of the Cobras!

The lowdown: a boat carrying a load of 100 prize-cobras (for research, zoo delivery, who cares, it isn't important) passes by idyllic _______ Island of the coast of __________ and gets caught in a storm, sinks, dispelling its cargo (the snake crates) which wash up on shore. Once discovered by a drunken couple wandered away from a beach party, the crates are opened and the cobras unleashed. They kill most of the beach party-goers and make their way inland.

A sheriff, maybe a deputy - some sort of law enforcer - discovers the bodies and just as they're figuring out the cause of death, the cobras begin attacking all over the island. From there it's just simple math: eliminate the cobras before they eliminate the people.

This can be done with only one snake - they're sneaky, lethal devils - but what's good with one is awesome with a hundred, in my book. And for an added holiday flair, make the island Ireland and call it St. Patrick's Day.I would never be able to actually write this film, being severely ophidiophobic. I'm already going to have visceral nightmares just for writing this post. But I still think it would make a swell movie, if you like that sort of thing.

Wickedchannel.com has a great new interview with actor Bill Oberst Jr., the lead in The Asylum's upcoming A Haunting in Salem, which is being directed by Shane Van Dyke from a script I wrote. Bill is known to Asylum fans as the shady carnival owner in Princess and the Pony. Check out the interview, then follow his exploits at his blog.

In his short time with The Asylum, actor Gerald Webb has accomplished quite a lot: since 2010 he has appeared in six Asylum films including Titanic II, Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus and Battle of Lose Angeles, as well as assuming the role of casting directoron eight films, most recently the Shane Van Dyke-directed (about to enter production) A Haunting in Salem, in which he will also appear as "Mayor Collins." Mr. Webb was kind enough to take a small window of time out of his hectic schedule to answer some questions for Committed. Enjoy!

COMMITTED: Give us some basic info: where are you from? How old are you?

GERALD WEBB: I was born in the land of Philly at the beginning of time and am ageless. I was raised in southern NJ where I remained then and now ageless.

C: You started in the entertainment industry as a DJ. Did you always have ambitions to act, or was it a passion you discovered through your other work?

GW: I have been a performer since I was 2 years old, or at least since people thought I was two since I’m ageless. DJing was a way for me to perform and enjoy music while I created the courage to pursue my acting career. I wanted to come to Hollywood from high school but looking back I was fearful of leaving everything I knew and taking a chance on the unknown. Fortunately the more I performed and the more success I had as a DJ the more I knew what I needed to do. At one point I was touring all over the country and winning the DJ of the Year award while realizing this was not the full expression of my inner performer. DJing definitely kept my unrealized dream of acting alive and gave me a great foundation to leap from. Jam Master Jay (RIP) from Run DMC was very instrumental in helping my DJ career grow and in helping during the infancy of my acting career.

C: You worked regularly as an actor for a number of years before coming to The Asylum. How did you get hooked up with those guys?

GW: I was in the first two films Christopher Olen Ray directed. He was line producing Titanic II for the Asylum and recommended me to the director Shane Van Dyke. I came in and auditioned and booked a small role in the film and that was the first time I was committed to the Asylum. You never know how a relationship or opportunity will flip on you, fast forward about a year and I’m currently finalizing the cast for the next Asylum film Shane will direct, A Haunting in Salem.

C: What sort of roles are you attracted to as an actor? What sort of characters appeal to you?

GW: I just like challenges. There has to be something about the role that intrigues or resonates with me. It could be almost anything but once I find that hook I embrace everything I can about the character and the role. I also like to break stereotypes and play roles traditional Hollywood would NEVER cast me in.

For example, David Latt our producer suggested I play Mayor Collins in A Haunting at Salem. Not a role you would normally expect to see played by someone my age (or agelessness) or race in most of mainstream Hollywood. That’s one pretty cool thing about The Asylum, in my time here, our producers have been open to diversity across race, gender and age lines. Though I wanted to play Thor and they gave me the are f—ing crazy look. ;)

C: DJ question: best beat of the last year?

GW: “Now or Never” from “How I Got Over” by The Roots and just about any other beat off that album! That band is the tightest band on the planet and they’re from Philly. Doesn’t get much better than that!

C: In the last year or so, you've also gotten into casting at The Asylum. This is an aspect of the company many of my readers are fascinated by. How did you come to that position? And in terms of the big names you guys use - Barry Williams, Tiffany, Kel Mitchell - do you go to them, or do they come to you? If the latter, how do you match a project with an actor?

GW: I was asked to help cast MegaShark vs. Crocosaurus for The Asylum last year. I worked really hard and long and that kinda just hasn’t stopped. I’ve cast every Asylum film since except for The Princess and the Pony. Ten films later I’m still here. You work way harder than you could ever expect at the Asylum but if you pay attention you learn a ton and gain experience faster than most can handle.

The actual casting process varies from film to film. Some star names or their agents reach out to us but most times our producers will attach star names and leave me to weed through and pitch the rest of the cast to compliment them. But other times like in the case of Richard Greico and Kevin Nash for Almighty Thor, I went out and found them and pitched them to our producers and was given the green light to get the deals done. More often than not we have a project, script or concept and then look to see what name actors will make the project successful. A lot of factors affect this process like: Who do we think will be successful, as far as acting, selling and promoting the film? Who’s available within our budget? Who can we actually get to call us back, etc. For non-star names, I read the script, write and release a breakdown of all of the characters on breakdown services and review thousands of headshot and resume submissions. From there I set up hundreds of auditions looking for solutions to each of the unfilled roles in the film. I’ll then confer with the director to pick top choices for any key roles and pitch those actors and their recorded auditions to producers. Finally a consensus is met between our producers, the director and myself, generally in that order of importance. I believe our casts consistently keep getting better.

C: So you act, you cast, you DJ; any ambitions to write or direct, or anything else in the industry?

GW: PRODUCE!!! Which is coming very soon. I write sketch comedy most of which is social satire. My writing makes very sharp statements on some controversial issue ie: race, politics, pop culture, or religion through biting comedy. I’ve been thinking of directing one of the shorts I wrote for submissions to film festivals. I would actually like to direct a play and would definitely do that and some shorts before moving to a feature film. In addition I private audition coach several actors and was Cody Deal’s on set coach for Almighty Thor.

BTW: More and more in order to break through and “make it” in this business requires doing everything. For that reason I learn all I can, bust my hump and never say I would never write, direct etc.

C: Favorite Asylum film you've made thus far?

GW: Put me on the spot why don’t you. Battle of Los Angeles and Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus both stand out. They were my two biggest roles in our films. Battle was full on action hero stuff with real explosions and a pretty cool death scene, though I generally prefer not to die and to be available for sequels! I felt like a super hero and a kid while making that movie. Kel Mitchell, Nia Peeples and the director Mark Atkins were all great to work with. Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus was great for a bunch of reasons. I was reunited with director Christopher Olen Ray. I’ve been in every feature film he’s directed even pre-Asylum and always enjoy working with him. Working with Sarah Lieving, Gary Stretch and Jaleel White was a great little adventure. Plus I had that gnarly beard that I grew and lived with for almost 3 months that had an interesting affect on me and really helped me sink into the Jean character. But if I had to just pick one I’d have to say...

C: I read you play organized kickball. Tougher gig: battling aliens or keeping the ball on the ground?

GW: I play in a World Adult Kickball Association co-ed league and love it. Though I’m currently sidelined healing up a surgically repaired Achilles tendon. Keeping a kickball low to the ground is waaaay tougher than you would ever imagine but like most challenges I’ve achieved a level of expertise at it now. So battling aliens would definitely be harder. You never know what form they’re gonna take, when they’re going type of new technology those boogers are gonna spring on you! Besides I love technology so once they hit us with an electromagnetic pulse I’d be just about done.

C: Any dream roles, characters or types of characters you're dying to play?

GW: A really long list: I’d love to play Tiger Woods and do his story, Los Angeles Laker Derrick Fisher has an amazing story I’d love to bring to the screen.

Playing Jesus Christ in a film that portrayed him being born, raised and crucified in 2011 is a challenge I’d love to take on both as a writer and actor. I love westerns and actually watch "Gunsmoke," "Have Gun Will Travel" and a bunch of other old reruns regularly. So being the good guy or the villain in a western is on my bucket list.

C: Anything coming up for Gerald Webb we should know about? Any movies or gigs or sites to plug?

GW: I’m currently a recurring LAPD Sergeant on NBC’s "Law and Order Los Angeles." I’m stepping into the producing chair along with Christopher Olen Ray for Shadow of a Doubt with both of us pulling double duty, me as the lead and Chris directing. I have a small cameo appearance in The Asylum’s Almighty Thor premiering on Syfy May 7th. I also have a small role in Born Bad. Battle of Los Angeles is coming on Blu-Ray in May.

First things first, it's Tuesday, which means fresh DVDs have been delivered, and easily the best of the bunch this week is the latest Asylum release, 200MPH, starring Jaz Martin and AnnaMaria Demara, and directed by Cole McKay. If you scroll down but a few inches, you'll find my observation notes on the film, which is well worth rushing to the video store and even trampling a person or two to get.

Secondly, the next Asylum release, Almighty Thor - starring Cody Deal, Richard Grieco and Kevin Nash, written by Eric Forsberg and directed by Christopher Ray - is itself only a few weeks from its May 10th DVD release. However, three days before that, on Saturday the 7th, at 9pm no matter what your North American timezone, the film will get its World Premiere on SyFy. Which means...you guessed it...another Mega-Live Blogfest! Join me that night about half an hour before showtime and watch along with my snarky observations, cumbersome back-information on cast, crew and story, as well as cocktails, a possible theme-meal, and everybody's favorite, a giant Rice Krispie treat I decorate (crudely) in honor of the film. The fun goes down not this Saturday, but the Saturday after, so schedule accordingly.

In the vein of the Fast and Furious movies and its own Street Racer, this high-octane gift from the fine folks at The Asylum comes courtesy of writer Thunder Levin and director Cole S. McKay, and tells the story of a young amateur racer (Jaz Martin) who falls into the seedy and dangerous world of illegal street racing following the death of his older brother.

It's a simple enough plot, but the story isn't the star here; that would be the pulse-pounding, adrenaline-boosting action sequences. And there's a bunch of them, all expertly choreographed and directed. Are they rolling 18-wheelers like F&F? No way, not for the budget, but McKay and his crew stretch their dollars to the max, giving us an array of fast and furious displays of automotive prowess that are worth every penny. As for the human components of the film, lead Jaz Martin, in one of his first big roles, is spot on right out of the gate as the humbly-over-achieving younger brother just looking to race for the love of cars but thrust into a world bigger, deeper and darker than himself. His character travels through the widest emotional spectrum, and at every band Martin's right there and ready. He sort of reminds me of a younger Adam Scott, which is a good thing. We'll be seeing more of him in the future, I'd bet.

AnnaMaria Demara as Jaz's girlfriend Claudia stands out from the first frame she's in, and as more than just a remarkably pretty face (think Eva Longoria meets Mila Kunis with a dash of Tiffani-Amber Thiessen); she exudes a sultry sort of confidence and a feminine bravado that is as enchanting as everything else about her. Furthermore - and I honestly mean this in the nicest way possible - this girl was born to start a drag race.

Other cast standouts include Hennelly Jimenez as the car-smart and midriff-baring mechanic, Tommy Nash as the ill-fated older brother, Darren Thomas (Born Bad, 2012: Ice Age) as the evil Kayce and, of course, the great Paul Logan (Ballistica, Mega Piranha) as the crooked Officer Flynn.

In terms of story, as mentioned, this is a basic vengeance tale, but a well-executed one that offers a fair amount of detail into L.A. street racing culture, and strippers. Seriously, the majority of female characters in this movie are strippers by trade, including Jaz's girlfriend and mom. Though there are a couple of weird points - sons joking about mom's job as a stripper (keeping in mind both sons are in their 20's, making mom...not), son visiting mom at the strip club and conversing with her while she's topless, some interesting dance montages, and this line: "no, this is me, the man with your balls in his hand," though not actually holding anyone's balls - but all in all this is a film with a lot of heart for an action flick, more heart, in fact, than most of the F&F films, without sacrificing action. Plus, they drop like fifty f-bombs. Just sayin'.

If you enjoy race films, action films, beautiful women dancing while scantily-clad and neon, I can't see any reason you wouldn't enjoy the hell out of this one. I did. Find it on DVD this Tuesday.

Another spotlight on a cast member of the upcoming Asylum release 200MPH, and this time the lead, Englander Jaz Martin.

A lifelong entertainer, Martin studied drama at Britain's University of Sunderland before making the interesting career shift into owning a wall and floor tiling business. But that acting bug, it's kind of like a chigger: once it gets at you, it gets under your skin and becomes really, really difficult to get rid of; but you know, in a good way.

So he chucked - or rather, sold - the business and made perhaps the boldest, bravest, most brazen idea of his life: to move to L.A. and try and land an acting career.

And daggum it if he hasn't gone and done just that.After only a couple of years kicking around Tinseltown, 2011 is shaping up to be the year of Jaz Martin's big break. Besides the lead in 200MPH, he also scored the lead in Breathe, a short, as well as a role in the ensemble thriller The Shattering, slated for release later this year.

So between Mr. Martin here and Ms. Demara recently-profiled, 200MPH stands to be the big break for at least two talented newcomers. Here's hoping when April 26th rolls around and 200MPH is in our collective DVD players, they bring the thunder. If the trailer's any indication, they're gonna.

One more time, 200MPH arrives on DVD Tuesday, April 26th. Cue up your copy now! Check back here Monday for my notes.